GREENSBORO, N.C.—UNCG's Peyton Ford has been named as one of the Southern Conference October Athletes of the Month, the conference office announced on Thursday.

Ford helped UNCG to a 5-3-1 overall record and a 5-1-1 SoCon mark during the month of October by posting a 0.36 goals-against average. The junior posted six shutouts in eight matches, allowing just three goals in just under 760 minutes of action. Ford collected 34 saves for a .919 save percentage and became UNCG's career Division I leader in shutouts with 17.

Ford and the Spartans clinched their second straight SoCon regular-season title with back-to-back shutouts of Georgia Southern and Elon in the final week of the month.

For the season, Ford owns 0.58 goals-against average with at least one match remaining. The school season record of 0.83 was set by current assistant coach Jay Benfield in 2005.

The Spartans open Southern Conference Tournament play when they host Wofford, 7 p.m., Saturday.